The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) has launched its new Sustainability Handbook, a practical resource designed to help Professional Congress Organisers (PCOs) translate sustainability ambitions into meaningful, achievable action.
Developed by the IAPCO Sustainability Committee, with the support of Business Events Australia (BEA) and Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD), the Handbook provides IAPCO members with practical guidance, frameworks and examples to help them improve sustainability across two interconnected areas: the way they operate their own businesses and the meetings and events they deliver on behalf of their clients.
The launch reflects IAPCO’s commitment to supporting its global community as sustainability becomes an increasingly important part of the role and responsibilities of professional congress organisers.
Rather than viewing sustainability as a standalone initiative, the Handbook encourages PCOs to embed environmental and social considerations throughout their organisations, supply chains, partnerships and event planning processes.
It also recognises that organisations are at different stages of their sustainability journeys and that meaningful progress depends on realistic actions, measurable outcomes and continuous improvement.
Ajay Bhojwani, Chair, IAPCO Sustainability Committee, said the Committee wanted the Handbook to be a genuinely useful resource for PCOs rather than simply another document about why sustainability matters.
“IAPCO members already understand the importance of the issue; the challenge is often knowing where to begin, what questions to ask and how to translate good intentions into practical actions.
“We deliberately approached the development of the Handbook with a blank slate mindset, drawing upon the knowledge and experience of colleagues from across our global community. The result is a resource that can support members wherever they are on their sustainability journey and which we hope will continue to evolve as our collective knowledge and experience grows,” said Bhojwani.
The Handbook forms part of a broader sustainability strategy being developed by IAPCO. This includes continuing to measure and monitor the Association’s own carbon footprint, aligning future activities with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and supporting the JMIC Net Zero Carbon Events initiative.
Central to the strategy is the recognition that progress must take place on two levels: supporting and showcasing sustainability initiatives being undertaken by IAPCO members around the world, while simultaneously ensuring that IAPCO continues to improve its own organisational practices.
Robin Mack, Managing Director of Tourism Australia, said: "Tourism Australia recognises the growing demand globally for meetings and congresses that have a positive, sustainable impact. We are proud to support the development of IAPCO’s Sustainability Handbook, which provides practical, real-world tools needed for the delivery of sustainable events.
“This approach aligns perfectly with Tourism Australia’s strategic approach to supporting responsible business events delivery that creates a lasting legacy for people and communities across Australia and beyond.”
The collaboration with Business Events Australia also includes support for the IAPCO Sustainability Award, which recognises and celebrates outstanding approaches to sustainability within the IAPCO community. Together, the Award and Handbook are intended to encourage both practical action and the sharing of ideas and best practice between members.
Sissi Lignou, President of IAPCO, said sustainability is increasingly fundamental to what it means to deliver a high-quality professional congress or business event.
“As PCOs, we have the opportunity to influence decisions at every stage of the process and to help our clients create events that deliver not only exceptional experiences, but positive environmental, social and economic outcomes.
“This Handbook is about empowering our members to make that influence count. It reflects IAPCO’s commitment to providing our community with practical tools, education and knowledge that help them lead change. Our ambition is not perfection overnight, but sustained and measurable progress achieved collectively across our global community,” said Lignou.
Dr. Yousef Alhorr, Founding Chairman of GORD, added: “Events play an important role in connecting people, exchanging knowledge, and driving progress. Yet, every event also carries an environmental footprint that we have a responsibility to address.
“Drawing on GORD’s expertise in sustainability and carbon management, this Handbook provides a practical foundation for measuring environmental impacts, reducing emissions, and making more informed decisions throughout the event lifecycle. Through our collaboration with IAPCO, we hope to help advance an events industry where sustainability is embedded in how we plan, operate, and create lasting value.”
The launch of the Sustainability Handbook reinforces IAPCO’s wider mission to raise standards of professionalism across the global meetings and events industry and provide its members with the knowledge, education, tools and connections they need to deliver exceptional events and create lasting positive impact.